When Michelle Dickinson first hired me to be her writing coach, it was clear from her pages that she had the makings of a very compelling memoir. Having grown up with a bipolar mother, she led a very different life than most. I was sure the lessons she had learned along the way would help people. 

The challenge was to turn what read like a collection of autobiographical notes with a self-help slant into a book that allowed readers to vicariously experience Michelle’s story. Telling them what she wanted them to learn wasn’t going to do the job. She had to show them.

Michelle had to dive not only into the past but into herself during the revision of her book, which she wound up calling Breaking Into My Life: Growing Up with a Bipolar Parent and the Battle to Reclaim Myself. The writing played a significant part in that reclamation process. 

Of course, Michelle’s book wasn’t just an exercise in catharsis. In addition to providing a revealing and moving window into what life with a bipolar parent is like, it also touched on how our country’s approach to mental health needs to change. 

When Michelle was finally ready to self-publish her book, like most of my other writing coach clients, she had absolutely no idea of what to do next. So, I told her I had just started up a self-publishing company called Incubation Press that was designed to simplify the process, provide a team approach and accommodate a range of budgets.

Breaking Into My Life was the very first book we published. In addition to providing editing, design and book production services, we designed and built her author website, and uploaded her book to the various distribution channels. She didn’t have to hire us to do it all, but it was a whole lot easier for her that way. 

In the subsequent three years, Incubation Press has worked with a number of other authors (including me). Our goal remains the same: to offer highly personalized services and a team approach. My ridiculously talented crew and I will walk you through seven simple self-publishing steps that cover everything from design to production and distribution. We can even create an online marketing campaign for you that works in conjunction with your book in terms of look, feel and message.

With us you actually get to communicate in person, or at least over the phone, with an editor-and-design team of humans rather than a dashboard. And I’ll be there as your personal project manager and advocate every step of the way.

Whether you’ve finished your manuscript or just beginning to think about writing a book, we want IncubationPress.com to shed some light on what to expect when you self-publish your book. That’s why the end of each of our seven simple self-publishing steps includes not-to-be-missed tips. Whether you decide to work with us or not, the scads of information at Incubation Press will help guide you through the process when you’re ready to self-publish. You’ll not only find out what to do, but when to do it as well.

So, check it out. And if we can help on the publishing—or the writing—front, just give us a holler. The easiest way is to email me: linden@IncubationPress.com (or linden@OneStopWritingShop.com).

Happy writing and happy publishing!